Essential Inforamtion - Canada

When to Go
The best time to visit Canada if you are planning on touring, camping or sight seeing is from May to September. March and October feature cooler weather but are great if you want to miss peak tourist season. The remainder of the year is ideal for those interested in participating in winter sports such as skiing and snowboarding. Depending on what you are planning on doing, Canada is a fantastic destination year-round.

Weather
Due to its large size and varying landscape, Canada experiences a number of climatic conditions. In general winters are cold with the temperature dropping below freezing. Summers in Canada are relatively short and hot. Along the south-western coast, the climate is milder, but in the Arctic circle it is very severe with 7 months of below freezing temperatures. Summer in the south is hot and experiences high humidity.

Health and Safety
No particular immunizations are needed when traveling to Canada. If you touring rural regions it is important to make use of insect repellents and protect yourself from mosquito bites. This is necessary as mosquitoes carry West Nile Virus. Beware of small animals as these may carry rabies. Medical care in Canada is of a world-class standard, but is quite expensive. It is strongly suggested that you organize medical insurance before departing for Canada. Canada is relatively trouble-free. As with all country's there is the risk of terrorism, but this has not been a problem as of late. Canada's crime-rate is somewhat low, but care must be taken to ensure your belongings are kept safe. Tornadoes do occur in Canada between the months of May and September.

Visas and Passports
When traveling to Canada you will require a valid passport. Those wishing to visit Canada will have to complete a visa application form and accompany it with the following: 2 passport photographs, a copy of a two-way air ticket and confirmation of hotel reservations, a copy of a recent bank statement, an origianl I-94 Card and a completed Global Reservation form, plus any necessary consular fees.

Money and Currency
Canadian currency is the Canadian Dollar (CAD). The symbol for Canada's money is $ or C$. The Canadian Dollar is made up of 100 cents and is the money value of the Canadian economy. Canada's banknotes come in the following denominations: $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100. All notes are the same size but differ in color. A type of braille on the notes has been created for the blind. Canadian coins come in the following denominations: 1¢, 5¢, 10¢, 25¢, 50¢, $1 and $2.